Tray system for a truck

Abstract

A system for accommodating a variety of modular components on a truck bed tray that is assembled to a truck frame. A plurality of first engagement features are provided to secure a heavier attachment to the bed. Each of the first engagement features includes a first receptacle and a first plug that may be inserted in the first receptacle. A plurality of second engagement features are provided to secure a relatively lighter weight attachment to the bed. Each of the second engagement features includes a second receptacle and a second plug that may be inserted in the second receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular bed system for a truck comprising:
 a tray connected to frame rails of the truck and defining A-receptacles and B-receptacles; 
 a first module defining A-plugs extending from the first module and received in the A-receptacles; and 
 a second module defining B-plugs extending from the second module and received in the B-receptacles, wherein the first module has a higher loaded weight than the second module and the A-plugs cannot be assembled to the B-receptacles. 
 
     
     
       2. The modular bed system of  claim 1  wherein the B-plugs can be assembled to A-receptacles. 
     
     
       3. The modular bed system of  claim 1  wherein the A-receptacles are larger than the B-receptacles and the A-plugs are larger than the B-plugs. 
     
     
       4. The modular bed system of  claim 1  wherein the A-receptacles have a different configuration than the B-receptacles and the A-plugs have a different configuration than the B-plugs. 
     
     
       5. The modular bed system of  claim 1  wherein the A-receptacles and the A-plugs have mating shapes that telescopically engage, and the B-receptacles and the B-plugs have mating shapes that telescopically engage. 
     
     
       6. The modular bed system of  claim 1  wherein the A-receptacles are polygonal openings in the tray and the B-receptacles are circular openings in the tray, and wherein the A-plugs are polygonal protrusions and the B-plugs are circular protrusions. 
     
     
       7. The modular bed system of  claim 6  wherein the B-plugs may be received in either the A-receptacles or the B-receptacles. 
     
     
       8. The modular bed system of  claim 1  wherein the first module is selected from the group consisting of:
 a tool box; 
 an explosive cabinet; 
 a fuel tank; 
 a fire tender; 
 a water tank; and 
 a crane. 
 
     
     
       9. The modular bed system of  claim 1  wherein the second module is selected from the group consisting of:
 a cage; 
 a load rest; 
 a ladder rack; 
 a timber rack; and 
 a first aid box. 
 
     
     
       10. The modular bed system of  claim 1  wherein the first module is a first set of modules and the second module is a second set of modules. 
     
     
       11. A truck comprising:
 a rear axle; 
 a frame; and 
 a bed supported above the rear axle and connected to the frame, and defining A-receptacles all forward of the rear axle and configured to receive A-protrusions of a first module, and defining B-receptacles configured to receive B-protrusions of a second module, and wherein the B-receptacles cannot receive the A-protrusions so that the first module can only be secured to the bed forward of the rear axle. 
 
     
     
       12. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the first module has a higher gross weight than the second module. 
     
     
       13. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the A-receptacles have a different shape than the B-receptacles. 
     
     
       14. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the A-receptacles are larger than the B-receptacles. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the A-receptacles are polygonal and the B-receptacles are circular. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the A-receptacles and the A-protrusions have mating shapes that telescopically engage when the first module is installed on the bed, and the B-receptacles and the B-protrusions have mating shapes that telescopically engage when the second module is installed on the bed. 
     
     
       17. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the first module is selected from the group consisting of:
 a tool box; 
 an explosive cabinet; 
 a fuel tank; 
 a fire tender; 
 a water tank; and 
 a crane. 
 
     
     
       18. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the second module is selected from the group consisting of:
 a cage; 
 a load rest; 
 a ladder rack; 
 a timber rack; and 
 a first aid box. 
 
     
     
       19. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the first module is disposed on the bed with the A-protrusions disposed in the A-receptacles, and the second module is disposed on the bed with the B-protrusions disposed in the B-receptacles. 
     
     
       20. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein the truck bed is directly attached to the frame.